Twelve students with physics and mathematics background were selected to participate in the DARA Basic Training Programme last November at the Institute and Observatory of Geophysics in Antananarivo (IOGA), Madagascar. Prof Gérard Rambolamanana, the
director of IOGA, led the local organisation of the event while Prof Claude Carignan from the University of Cape Town gave introductory lectures in astronomy. He was assisted by Dr Zara Randriamanakoto, a young researcher from Madagascar, currently based in South
Africa. Both theoretical and practical sessions were designed to introduce the new concepts and notions in astronomy to the students.

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This class of DARA Madagascar 2017-2018 is made of strongly motivated and interactive students. This could be seen throughout the course programme but also during the visit to the future AVN station located around 40 km away to the capital city. As they stood in front
of the 32 m diameter satellite dish to be converted into a radio telescope, they were so excited that one day they could become part of the AVN team in their own country.